‘Ukraine is at war – and the east is almost lost’

As the death of 42 people in Odessa marks the country’s slide into chaos, a failed military operation reveals Kiev is powerless to end the revolt

Pro-Russian protesters attack a rally in Odessa on Friday, leaving many wounded (REUTERS)

UNDER the cover of darkness, a squadron of heavily armed Mi-24 Hind helicopter
gunships roared into the air from a Ukrainian military base on a top secret
mission.

The flying tanks, as they were known during the Soviet invasion of
Afghanistan, were heading towards the eastern town of Slovyansk, the
pro-Russian stronghold of a separatist rebellion that has been spreading
through this part of Ukraine like wildfire.